DODGE AVENGER Review

Summary:

What we like: Styling

What we don't like: Engine noise

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DODGE AVENGER review in detail:

Underneath the skin, the new Dodge Avenger is the same basic car as the Chrysler Sebring. They share a DaimlerChrysler/Mitsubishi Motors platform. With better styling, however, the Dodge Avenger brings a distinctive look to the medium car segment. While the styling of the Sebring has been almost universally panned by reviewers, the Avenger has generally gotten a better reception. The most distinctive styling element of the Charger is the curved rear shoulders that are carried over pretty much intact to the mid-size model. Unfortunately one design element it does share with the Sebring is the absurdly thick C-pillars and huge chunk of black plastic trim covering the back part of what should be the rear side window openings. It is hard to understand this logic behind this design.

On the inside the Avenger is a similarly mixed bag. While the arrangement of controls and instruments is logical and looks reasonably attractive at first glance, it also feels really cheap. There is a plethora of hard plastic surfaces everywhere you look. The texture of the dash board surface looks very artificial. It has some good features, though. the front passenger seat folds completely flat, so long objects can be transported. Also, in addition to a standard 'Chill Zone' cooler above the glovebox, the Avenger SXT is equipped with a cupholder that keeps hot drinks at 60 degrees and cool drinks at two degrees. Peferct for picking up a coffee (or a soft drink) on the way to work in the morning.

The front seats are relatively comfortable and provide good lateral support. The lateral bolsters grip around the upper part of the torso rather than down low. The advantage of this is that it fits different sized drivers and passengers better while still allowing easy entry and exit. The back seat of the Dodge Avenger has plenty of space for three people thanks to the upright stance with abundant leg, hip and shoulder room in the back. The center of the rear seat back features a fold down armrest with built in cup holders.

On the road the Avenger was again kind of a mixed bag. The suspension tuning seems like it was done by two different teams. The spring rates seemed to be well chosen with good roll control and firm but still compliant ride that keeps the optional 215/55R18 tires on the road and never feels harsh even on the nastiest of roads. Unfortunately, whoever chose the dampers didn't seem to have quite as good a grasp on things. On bumpy roads, the wheels absorb the imperfections but the body gets floaty and felt disconcerting. The steering has good weighting as far as effort, but feedback is severly lacking. Mild under-steer is the order of the day on twisty roads, and the overall impression is an odd combination of good, stable grip with disconnected controls and body.

Dodge will shortly introduce 'MyGIG' -- the brand’s multi-media information and entertainment system that also takes care of navigation. It comprises a motorised 6.5-inch TFT screen, a 20-gig hard drive and a USB port for transferring data to and from the hard disk. Capable of running up to three different audio sources simultaneously, it can also download images to the hard disk via the USB port for display as a system wallpaper. The TFT screen displays movies when the vehicle is stationary and is described by Chrysler as an active matrix display which can be viewed adequately from both sides of the car without major loss of picture quality.

The Avenger is right up there with the rest and boasts all the prerequisites; dual front airbags, side impact airbags and side curtain airbags. Where the Avenger is ahead of many of its competitors is in the standard fitment of an electronic stability program (ESP) and traction control system.

When will the DODGE AVENGER be updated next?

The DODGE AVENGER update is expected to be around 0 2007

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